Porsche 944 Tire Pressures

• The ideal tire pressures for a classic Porsche 944 range from 29 to 44 PSI depending on model and fitment.
• To find the ideal tire pressures to match your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our Porsche 944 Tire Pressure Guides.

• Longstone’s recommended early Porsche 944 (1982–1986) tire is the 185/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, with the 215/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 used on some specifications. Some markets also fitted the 195/65 R15 PIRELLI P6000 N from 1984.
• The recommended Porsche 944 2.5 16" tire is the 205/55 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7.
• The ideal Porsche 944 2.7 and Porsche 944 S2 tires are 205/55 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 front and 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 rear.
• The recommended Porsche 944 Turbo (known internally and informally as the Porsche 951) tire fitment is 205/55 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front with 245/45 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the rear.
• Certain Porsche 944 S2 and S2 Cabriolet models fitted 245/45 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 rear tires.
• For a detailed tire fitment breakdown by model year, see the Porsche 944 Tire Section.

Porsche 944 Tires

When the first Porsche 944 2.5 (1982–1986) was introduced, it was typically fitted with 185/70 R15 tyres or 215/60 R15 tyres, with some models fitting 185/70 R15 front and 215/60 R15 rear. Period data is incomplete and often contradictory with the early 944 models. In these sizes we can strongly recommend the 185/70 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 and 215/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

A 185/70 R15 tire can be run with inner tubes if required, and the Michelin 15E inner tube is generally the best match for that size. However, the Porsche 944 was supplied with tubeless wheels, so inner tubes are usually optional provided the wheel rims are in good condition and are able to hold air reliably.

Some early, pre-1986 Porsche 944 2.5-litre cars were also fitted with 16” wheels, typically running 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 tires.

As a rule, tires with a profile below 70% (for example 215/60 WR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36) should not be fitted with inner tubes.

In the mid-1980s, (circa 1984–1989) and in some European markets, Porsche 944 2.5 cars were still on 15” wheels were also approved with 195/65 R15 tires, and in that size the ideal period-style option is the 195/65 R 15 PIRELLI P6000 N. For the majority of Porsche 944 models running 15” wheels (between 1982 and 1988), the most common fitment was 215/60 R15, and we suggest the 215/60 WR 15 PIRELLI P6000.

On later models, the Porsche 944 2.7 and the Porsche 944 S2 (up until 1990) were fitted with 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 at the front and 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 at the rear.

The 1985-1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (also known as Type 951) used the same 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front, but typically moved to the wider 245/45 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the rear for improved traction and stability, across the period 1985 to 1991. This includes Turbo S models and Sportspack-equipped 944 cars.

The 944 S2 and 944 S2 Cabriolet could also be specified with the wider 245/45 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 rear tire on certain versions and in certain markets, particularly on later cars.

Finally, it is worth noting that in some countries, certain Series 2 Porsche 944 models may also have been fitted with Yokohama A008 tires as an alternative period-approved fitment, however it is clear that Porsche preferred the P7 when available.

PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 Porsche 944 Tires

The surge in power and velocity witnessed among performance cars of the late 1970s and 1980s required a new generation of tires – stronger, wider and with lower profiles. Pirelli introduced the CINTURATO ™ P7, initially developed in 1974 for competition use, later adapted for high-end road use.

For the Porsche 944 range, the P7 became a key period-correct tire for later cars on 16” wheels, including common factory fitments such as 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the front and 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 or 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 on the rear, depending on model and year.

Porsche 944 Racing Tires

Featuring an extensive range of racing tires tailored to diverse applications, the Michelin TB racing tire series is an excellent choice for tarmac rallying, sprinting, or hill climbing activities with 15" wheels on their Porsche 944.

Porsche 944 Tire Fitment

• (1982–1986) Porsche 944 2.5 = 185/70VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N & 215/60 VR15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 N or optional 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1984–1989) 195/65 R15 was also an option.
• (1987–1988) Porsche 944 2.5 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 (15” option 195/65 R15 or 215/60 R15)
• (1987–1988) Porsche 944 S = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 (15” option 195/65 R15 or 215/60 R15)
• (1989) Porsche 944 2.7 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 (15” option 195/65 R15 or 215/60 R15)
• (1989–1990) Porsche 944 S2 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1989–1990) Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1990–1991) Porsche 944 S2 = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1990–1991) Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 or 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1985–1988) Porsche 944 Turbo (951) = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7
• (1986–1991) Porsche 944 Turbo (951) = 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 & 245/45 VR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7